The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission led a crackdown on the illegal Internet wildlife trade, resulting in 33 written arrests and 40 warnings. The Humane Society of the United States assisted in the investigation by providing specially trained volunteers to conduct Internet searches to identify illegal wildlife items being sold online.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service immediately listed the southern white rhino as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, giving the species greater protection from poaching. With two or three rhinos poached every day for their horns, conservationists believe that within a few years’ time, there will be no more rhinos in the wild in Africa.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, released the following statement praising a decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to deny an application to import 18 wild-caught beluga whales for public display at U.S. aquariums.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California were lead players in a successful crackdown on wildlife crimes, resulting in dozens of individuals being charged with trafficking in wildlife products.

Intelligent, strong, and highly active, bears kept as pets endure significant suffering. Bears are one of the most challenging species to keep in captivity and often develop neurotic behaviors, and even those captive-bred and bottle-raised are capable of killing people or inflicting serious injuries.

There are an estimated 15,000 primates kept as pets in the United States. These highly intelligent and social animals suffer greatly in the pet trade, posing risks to both the animals and the people who keep them.

Large constrictor snakes like pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas are powerful wild animals capable of killing an adult human—and they are commonly and legally kept as "pets" throughout the United States. Allowing private possession of these dangerous reptiles threatens public safety, environmental health and the welfare of the animals themselves.

The Hawaii State Legislature unanimously passed a number of animal protection bills to strengthen animal cruelty laws, help residents find rental housing that accepts pets, and make other improvements for animals in state policy. These bills now go to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his approval.

A delegation from The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International championed more than 40 proposals to protect wildlife from the threats posed by international commercial trade during the 16th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Bangkok.

Humane Society International Deputy Wildlife Director Rebecca Regnery released the following statement praising the final decision at the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to list the oceanic whitetip shark, the porbeagle shark, three species of hammerhead sharks, and two species of manta rays, great and reef, on Appendix II.

Humane Society International/United Kingdom Executive Director and Veterinarian Mark Jones released the following statement during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species on provisions put forth to help protect rhinos from poaching.

Humane Society International Deputy Wildlife Director Rebecca Regnery released the following statement praising an interim decision at the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to list five shark species and two species of manta rays, great and reef, on Appendix II.

Humane Society International Senior Associate Marine Scientist Mark Peter Simmonds released the following statement praising an interim decision to give the African manatee top-level protection on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species by listing the animal on Appendix I.

Humane Society International Wildlife Director Teresa M. Telecky, Ph.D., released the following statement criticizing the parties during the 16th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for their interim decision to not give the polar bear top-level protection with a listing on Appendix I of CITES.